TR Replies
Great report and great learning day! Sounds like your group is doing it right. Gotta know that nobody is down in those trees though.....Just so you will know, depth hoar usually only happens at the bottom of the snowpack, buried surface hoar is what we usually find within the snowpack between layers. There is more to it than that but you are probably remembering it all now.javascript:replaceText('%20:)',%20document.postmodify.message);
Good TR Bram,
The Google Maps tour route is excellent, nice videos too.
We experienced the same rapid change in weather conditions in the Olympics on Saturday. Snow quality changed from good powder to heavy sludge in less than an hour.
I was planning to help Pat with a Level II avy class at Alpental on Sunday, it was canceled due to the monsoon. Sounds like the weather will be returning to more favorable conditions soon.
Gary
The Google Maps tour route is excellent, nice videos too.
We experienced the same rapid change in weather conditions in the Olympics on Saturday. Snow quality changed from good powder to heavy sludge in less than an hour.
I was planning to help Pat with a Level II avy class at Alpental on Sunday, it was canceled due to the monsoon. Sounds like the weather will be returning to more favorable conditions soon.
Gary
WE were on the north end of ridge and were glad to get our powder runs in before turning to sponge. We were getting needles early,then ice crystals then the wet stuff. Couldn't make a snowball when we got there at 9am. Very few people there.
Great Pix Doug,
It was hard to work Friday knowing the road was open, the sky was blue and there was all that new snow to be skied. Sorry we couldn't be there to share the trail breaking duties, we got our share of it on Saturday though. ;)
Gary
It was hard to work Friday knowing the road was open, the sky was blue and there was all that new snow to be skied. Sorry we couldn't be there to share the trail breaking duties, we got our share of it on Saturday though. ;)
Gary
Hard to add much to your report Tyler, it was a fun day (even though we lost a little time correcting our "wardrobe malfunction" ;)). It was amazing how fast conditions changed from hero to almost zero. Glad you enjoyed the brews, Jeff has been doing a great job choosing the appropriate fluids for proper rehydration recently. ;D
Wanted to be sure you got a little love, so here's a shot of you in the North Bowl. I'll post a link to some more pix later.
...
Wanted to be sure you got a little love, so here's a shot of you in the North Bowl. I'll post a link to some more pix later.
...
Nice pics. Classic Oly-style. I especially like the early season rollover accident. The Ridge rocks, but don't worry about overcrowding. The drive is too much for most 206'ers.
We had the same idea. Got through the gate around 8:15 and headed out to Indian Cliff. Got in 9 laps before stability became too iffy. Set off a small slab near the ridgeline, small 6 in crown about 15 feet across. Ran pretty slow to treeline. Enough was enough, it was apparent the mountain was ready for us to leave. We couldnt get anything to move earlier in the day, but the warming was taking its toll. Sick day, glad to make last call before Pineapple hit the reset button.
Wow - I skied the hill last year and enjoyed it late season, these pictures are salivating....nice job!
We beat you yesterday Silas - managed to find a few fun turns and shussed the road back down. TR and video.
She wasn't skiing. she lost the camera earlier this week. I should have asked my buddy to grab his camera but just forgot. Next time out I'll at least take a camera phone but hoping to get a new small camera, maybe one that can take some decent video too.
I hate it when the wife does that. Did she still get to ski some powder?
Mmmm, sounds tasty Silas. Thanks for the report. It'll all be muck by Sunday, from the sound of it.
Super SICK. Nice job, Forest!!!! -Dyan
author=Forest McBrian link=topic=18262.msg77353#msg77353 date=1291401303]
December 2nd a friend and I skied the Stone Man couloir on Mount Herman, just west of the Heather Meadows parking lot. We went via Mazama Bowl. Beautiful weather and perfect snow; we did notice some surface hoar growing here and there.
If you've never done it, the Stone Man is super fun! There are directions and some...
As my pal Dina likes to say, "Good practice!" But as my friend Skip put it, "that's the most depressing report I've ever read from Silas..." Sounds far worse than that day last season when you bailed early and waited at the ski area for the rest of us to finish lapping nice powder above the rain line we had to ski through.
Good beta on the alder thickets. Makes sense given what telemetry is saying.
Good beta on the alder thickets. Makes sense given what telemetry is saying.
author=Mike Cheney link=topic=18364.msg77851#msg77851 date=1291901993]
Maybe I could get you to show me this tour some time? (Wish avy danger wasn't so high right now)
There's a couple shots on the north side that are pretty open. Look at the report for this spot on 11/19. I can send you some waypoints/track if you are interested.
Hey thanks for putting in the track, I went up there Sunday morning with my dog and had a great time for 1st ski day this season. The snow was still very nice especially above the lake.
author=Ken M link=topic=18333.msg77860#msg77860 date=1291911346]
If we're willing to walk a little farther than the last skier, you'll have first tracks every time. Stone Man's is hardly off the radar due to visibility and proximity, even though it's not a line that gets skiied every day. Forest's idea to go get it this time of year was a good choice, the line doesn't get skiied all the time because it's often not a safe choi...
I was up in that area today... Looks like the Alder brush needs to fill in with more coverage.
Avalache conditions are really hit and miss this week in terms of safety.
I will check back with you when I get some time off in the coming weeks. (Unless the freezing level doesn't go up to 7000 feet Sat and rain below)
Avalache conditions are really hit and miss this week in terms of safety.
I will check back with you when I get some time off in the coming weeks. (Unless the freezing level doesn't go up to 7000 feet Sat and rain below)
author=Spin Fast link=topic=18354.msg77884#msg77884 date=1291930891]
Of course, I just looked at lift ticket prices - $94!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never pay retail at Whistler. Edge card is 1 day $77 and then $78 for each day after, or is less if you pay for 3 or 5 days in advance. 7-11s sell tickets approx $10 off. If you pay for accommodation you can usually get a deal with the place where you stay....
author=runningclouds link=topic=18354.msg77726#msg77726 date=1291784978]
Whistler backcountry pass is unchanged from last year: $45 and a demeaning vetting process...
Wow, $45. It's been a few seasons since I've purchased this but the last time I did, it was maybe $28 and we thought that was getting pretty high compared to previous years. Times, they are a changing...
Of course, I just looked at lift tic...
I went up the Satus Pass way. It's a bit of a long haul into the area I like to ski, but worth it. The ski out is all downhill so that's a bonus - 2.5 miles to top of ski hill with elevation gain of 1700 feet. My favorite ski hill is steepish with about 1000 feet of vert but there is more to be had elsewhere. In a good year, you could probably ski from 5000 foot level down to 2500 foot level.
The other route described by Veilbig is a tough one. Very confusing maze of re...
The other route described by Veilbig is a tough one. Very confusing maze of re...
author=bluebag link=topic=18323.msg77595#msg77595 date=1291680519">
Six of us headed up Pan Point with the masses, just to see how windy it was. ...
Stone man is the new Slot? Ditto on timing it right, it get trickier from here.
If we're willing to walk a little farther than the last skier, you'll have first tracks every time. Stone Man's is hardly off the radar due to visibility and proximity, even though it's not a line that gets skiied every day. Forest's idea to go get it this time of year was a good choice, the line doesn't get skiied all the time because it's often not a safe choice. When a "new" route gets publicized, it doesn't hurt to share other info about it,...
Mike, I don't really want to go back there anytime soon :-) due to the heinous bushwhacking. But on the plus side, it's pretty much all in the thick trees, very anchored terrain.
Maybe in the middle of the season, with a lot more coverage? Or maybe we should go ski something else. :-)
Maybe in the middle of the season, with a lot more coverage? Or maybe we should go ski something else. :-)
Maybe I could get you to show me this tour some time? (Wish avy danger wasn't so high right now)
Very cool. I've wondered if there was much skiing up there.
author=runningclouds link=topic=18354.msg77726#msg77726 date=1291784978]
Whistler backcountry pass is unchanged from last year: $45 and a demeaning vetting process . . .
I have given up on the BC pass and moved to simply getting a lift ticket, usually not too much more if part of the prepaid portion of an Edge card or similar.
In addition to bypassing the inquisition and related delays, a huge benefit is the fle...
author=Joedabaker link=topic=18354.msg77826#msg77826 date=1291864265]
That snow sure looked sweet!
Ditto that!
Thanks for the report.
That snow sure looked sweet!
That snow sure looked sweet!
author=Scotsman link=topic=18333.msg77807#msg77807 date=1291851067]
;D Funny.
but it does illustrate to those that feel posting TR's is a TAY community service that others may feel different when it affects them. We're all selfish aren't we.?
What it illustrates depends on whether you take what I said seriously. Which, FWIW, I would advise you not to.
It snows enough hereabouts so that e...
author=ryanl link=topic=18333.msg77811#msg77811 date=1291853730]
... But my memory and sense of direction are so bad that every time out is a first descent anyway.....
That's funny, Ryan ;D
I think I may be picking up the same affliction ::)
for what it's worth, the only reason i posted anything was because i liked skiing with Gus and wanted to get him some attention. I couldn't care less about secret stashes and local treasures. If something is worth skiing it's worth skiing, regardless of how many times it's been skied. That's just my opinion of course. But my memory and sense of direction are so bad that every time out is a first descent anyway.....
author=markharf link=topic=18333.msg77806#msg77806 date=1291850265]
We don't show Silas, either.
Mark
;D Funny.
but it does illustrate to those that feel posting TR's is a TAY community service that others may feel different when it affects them. We're all selfish aren't we.?
author=bobS link=topic=18333.msg77789#msg77789 date=1291844446]
Claim that women are not pretty appears suspicious. This may be decoy post. Heading north to investigate. Begin preparations for full on siege. Over.
I think you are right. ;D
My latest theory= Silas skis with Tim Place and knows all his secret stashes in B'hmaster zone but is banned from posting TR's under penalty of banishment ( Blueberry Chutes are a...
Nice, I haven't been there in years. Do you mind my asking how you went in? Satus Pass or up from Goldendale? I've only been in the Satus Pass way but I wonder about the other way in, the approach described in Vielbig's book.
author=pred link=topic=18333.msg77759#msg77759 date=1291830962]
Because there is nothing to write about. Slack-country gets tracked out by 10 Am (one would have to leave Seattle by 4 Am to make it) back country is north-facing and always wind loaded, extremely dangerous, road sucks, there is no good beer anywhere, women are not pretty, man smell bad and some speak funny, and we can't write (I paid ghost-writer a lot of money for this short comment)
...
Crazy. It definintely looked like it could have been skier triggered. Scary stuff. Thanks for the heads up.
I was touring up in this area today and it was a little scary, we decided to bail after finding lots of nasty windslab around on SE facing aspects. As we left for the day it was sleeting/graupeling hard and the wind was strong out of the S at high elevation.
Toured the Tatoosh on Saturday the 4th. Made the decision to avoid the rollover on the lower slopes as mentioned. We did witness 2 skiers decending the rolloverslope from a distance below. One skier stopped mid slope in the an obvious avalanche chute. I had just mentioned to my partner that was now wise when a fracture occured approximately 10' above carring the skier to the bottom of the slope. We were about to skin up to give assistance when we heard the shouts that he was not injured. Sh...
yep...that's where I went. you'd think this looker would treat us better but she doesn't. I saw evidence of some monster avi activity a couple years ago when I went. debris the size of a small house which had slid almost 2000 verts. amazing. it was an epic rain event that caused it.
sweet trees, sweet video. valhalla is awesome!
author=CookieMonster link=topic=18329.msg77611#msg77611 date=1291689241]
Next time, you might try going up the shoulder on looker's right as you stare at the summit of Jim Hill. It's a bit less direct but lots less hassle.
second this. that drainage at the bottom can be hell. here's a photo of the lookers right shoulder (once gained)
